Guide apparatus for inducing downward flow of surface water

ABSTRACT

A guide apparatus for inducing the downward flow of surface water guides a water flow, formed by a tidal current or a wind-driven current, to guide the surface water toward deep water, thereby mixing polluted surface water with deep water such that supersaturated dissolved oxygen of the surface water is transferred to the deep water, and thus, oxygen is fed into a predetermined region of the deep water, which is being rotten due to the deficiency of dissolved oxygen, thereby allowing aerobic microorganisms to metabolize. The guide apparatus includes a hollow floating unit, which is immersed in the water; a balance unit placed on a top end of the floating unit to balance the floating unit; and a balance member attached to a bottom end of the floating unit to allow the floating unit to be erected and balanced on the water surface and in the water.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a guide apparatus for inducing a downward flow of surface water, which can guide a water flow formed by a tidal current or a wind-driven current toward deep water, thereby mixing polluted surface water with deep water such that supersaturated dissolved oxygen of the surface water is transferred to the deep water, and thus, oxygen can be fed into a predetermined region of the deep water, which is being rotten due to the deficiency of dissolved oxygen, thereby allowing aerobic microorganisms to metabolize.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a green tide, a red tide and a blue tide are generated in a reservoir or a sea area, which is eutrophicated by the inflow of pollutants from the land through streams and/or rivers, or by residual feed or fish excrement in fish farms.

As water of polluted river flows into the sea, river water forms the surface water since it is relatively warmer than sea water. Because the eutrophicated surface water is exposed to the sun, and the temperature of the surface water rises in summer, the algae develop in the surface water. The algae generally bloom when the temperature of the surface water in a polluted sea area is 20° C. or more. Eutrophicating substances in the water together with temperature and sunshine give excellent conditions for the green tides, the red tides and blue tides, which are photosynthetic microorganisms.

As a conventional method to suppress the development of the algae due to eutrophication, yellow earth or copper is dumped into an algae blooming area in order to sink the algae into the deep water. However, this method is not environment-friendly since it causes secondary environmental pollution. Also, this method is not economically efficient since it is expensive.

As another method to clean a polluted reservoir, oxygen in the air is dissolved into water by the use of blowers in order to metabolize aerobic microorganisms. However, this method is not economically efficient.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a general flow of surface water in a reservoir and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, a wind-driven flow of surface water moves along the direction of the wind 1 as indicated by arrows A. When the flow of surface water collides against the land, the flow descends slightly and then moves against wind as indicated with arrows B. However, since these water flows are formed only in a surface water level 3, the surface water does not descend to a deeper water level 5, and thus the surface water cannot be naturally purified.

That is, since the surface water remains in the surface water level, which is relatively warmer and gives an excellent condition for photosynthesis, algae such as green algae, red algae and blue-green algae can easily bloom in the surface water.

Accordingly, the inventor has continuously studied a method and apparatus capable of guiding surface water to deep water to suppress the development of algae, and has devised the present invention.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems occurring in the prior art, and therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a guide apparatus for the downward flow of surface water, which can suppress the development of algae in an economical and environment-friendly way by using natural energy instead of artificial energy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a guide apparatus for inducing the downward flow of surface water, which can suppress the development of algae by guiding surface water, which contains supersaturated dissolved oxygen and is polluted due to eutrophication, toward deep water.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a guide apparatus for inducing the downward flow of surface water, which can prevent fish farms from being damage and preserve the marine ecosystem by suppressing the development of algae.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a guide apparatus for inducing the downward flow of surface water, which allows the stream water or the river water, which is relatively warmer, to be easily mixed with the colder sea water when a stream or river water flows into the sea, thereby suppressing the development of algae.

Technical Solution

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a guide apparatus for inducing a downward flow of surface water, the guide apparatus including a hollow floating unit, which is immersed in water; a balance unit placed on a top end of the floating unit to balance the floating unit; and a balance member attached to a bottom end of the floating unit to allow the floating unit to be erected and balanced both on a water surface and in the water.

Preferably, the floating unit includes a downward flow guide, which extends along a longitudinal direction of the guide apparatus, and a vertical guide, which is formed integrally with and extends vertically downward from the downward flow guide, and the downward flow guide and the vertical guide are hollow.

Preferably, the downward flow guide has an inverted triangular cross section to convert a horizontal water flow to a vertical water flow.

Preferably, the floating unit includes a vertical guide, which extends vertically downward from the balance unit, and a plurality of downward flow guide tanks.

Preferably, the downward flow guide tanks are placed on both sides of the vertical guide, each of the downward flow guide tanks being shaped as a prism, which vertically extends along a longitudinal direction of the vertical guide, wherein the downward flow guide tanks are arranged in line along the sides of the vertical guide, and spaces between adjacent ones of the guide tanks narrow gradually toward the vertical guide.

Preferably, the floating unit includes a vertical guide, which extends vertically downward from the balance unit, and a plurality of downward flow guide ducts, which are placed on both sides of the vertical guide, the downward flow guide ducts extending vertically and arranged horizontally, touching each other at vertical edges thereof.

Preferably, each of the downward flow guide ducts has an inverted L shape including a vertical section and an inlet section for receiving surface water, wherein the inlet section has a wide cross section, and the vertical section has a cross section significantly narrower than that of the inlet section.

Preferably, the balance unit has a hollow structure, and includes an anti-rocking plate, which serves to prevent the floating unit from rocking from side to side in waves, and a pair of wing-shaped wave blockers, which extend integrally with longitudinal edges of the anti-rocking plate.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

As set forth above, the guide apparatus for surface water of the present invention can deliver the surface water, which contains algae, to a deeper water level in order to suppress algae growth or kill the algae.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a general flow of surface water in a reservoir;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a guide apparatus for inducing the downward flow of surface water according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the guide apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a usage of the present invention, in which a plurality of guide apparatuses as shown in FIG. 2 are connected in a line;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a guide apparatus for inducing the downward flow of surface water according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the guide apparatus shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a conceptual view illustrating a usage of the present invention, in which a plurality of guide apparatuses as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a guide apparatus for inducing the downward flow of surface water according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the guide apparatus shown in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a usage of the present invention, which is applicable to the fixing of the guide apparatuses according to various embodiments of the present invention.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

A guide apparatus for inducing the downward flow of surface water of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a guide apparatus for inducing the downward flow of surface water according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the guide apparatus shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a usage of the present invention, in which a plurality of guide apparatuses as shown in FIG. 2 are connected in a line.

As shown in FIG. 2, the guide apparatus for inducing the downward flow of surface water according to the first embodiment of the present invention generally includes a floating unit 10, a balance unit 30 and a balance member 15. The floating unit 10 has a hollow structure and is immersed in the water when the guide apparatus is used. The balance unit 30 is placed on the top end of the floating unit 10 to balance the floating unit 10. The balance member 15 is attached to the bottom end of the floating unit 10, and allows the floating unit 10 to be erected and balanced on the water surface and in the water.

The floating unit 10 has a downward flow guide 11 extending along the length of the guide apparatus and a vertical guide 13 formed integrally with and extending vertically downward from the downward flow guide 11. Preferably, the downward flow guide 11 has an inverted triangular cross section in order to convert a horizontal flow of water to a vertical flow. The cross section of the downward flow guide 11 can have any shape that can cause a downward flow of water, and portions of the downward flow guide 11 contacting the water can have an arc shape.

The vertical guide 13 is formed integrally with the downward flow guide 11, and has a hollow structure.

The floating unit 10 ranges in length from about 2 m to about 5 m. Preferably, a plurality of such floating units are connected to each other to reduce resistance against water. Therefore, connecting rings 40 are attached to both ends of the downward flow guide 11 of the floating unit 10 so that a plurality of the floating units 10 can be connected to each other.

The balance unit 30 can float on the water due to the hollow structure, and includes an anti-rocking plate 31, which serves to prevent the floating unit 10 in the water from rocking from side to side in the waves, and a pair of wing-shaped wave blockers 33, which extend integrally from longitudinal edges of the anti-rocking plate 31.

The anti-rocking plate 31 contacts the water surface to balance itself due to the surface tension of the water surface, thereby preventing the floating unit 10 from rocking in the water.

The wave blockers 33 are slanted upward with respect to the anti-rocking plate 31 in order to prevent the waves from flowing over to the top of the balance unit 30.

The floating unit 10 and the balance unit 30 can be made integrally, or be fabricated as separate parts that are subsequently connected together.

The balance member 15 is attached to the bottom end of the floating unit 10, and is made of a material having a predetermined weight. Preferably, the balance member 15 has such a weight that the floating unit 10 is immersed in the water but does not sink into the water.

In addition to this function of allowing the floating unit 10 to be immersed in the water, the balance member 15 can also prevent the floating unit 10 from rocking from side to side.

Now, the guide apparatus for the downward flow of surface water according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to the operations thereof.

A flow of surface water indicated with arrows C changes the direction, as indicated with arrows D, when colliding against the surface of the downward flow guide 11 of the guide apparatus. Through the vertical guide 13, a vertical flow of the surface water indicated with arrows E is finally obtained. According to the guide apparatus of the present invention, the surface water can flow to a deep water level, thereby delivering supersaturated dissolved oxygen from the water surface to the deep water, so that aerobic microorganisms can metabolize biodegradable substances in the deep water. Also, the continuous flowing of surface water to the deep water can significantly suppress the development of alga that would otherwise bloom in the surface water.

As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of guide apparatuses according to the first embodiment of the present invention are connected in line by a plurality of connecting rings 40, and an assembly of the longitudinally-connected guide apparatuses is supported by vessels or boats 900. Then, the surface water can move to the deep water along the direction indicated by arrows.

A pair of vessels can slowly navigate the area where algae bloom while trawling the longitudinally-connected assembly in order to make the algae descend from the surface water, thereby suppressing the development of red algae or green algae.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a guide apparatus for the downward flow of surface water according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the guide apparatus shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a conceptual view illustrating a usage of the present invention, in which a plurality of guide apparatuses as shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the guide apparatus for the downward flow of surface water according to the second embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the guide apparatus according to the first embodiment, except for the shape of a floating unit 110. Therefore, the same components will not be described.

The floating unit 110 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a vertical guide 113 extending vertically downward from the balance unit 30 and a plurality of downward flow guide tanks 121, 122, 123, 124 and 125. The floating unit 110 is designed to have a hollow structure.

Each of the downward flow guide tanks 121 to 125 placed on both sides of the vertical guide 113 is in the form of a trigonal prism, which vertically extends along the length of the vertical guide 113.

The downward flow guide tanks 121 to 125 are arranged in line along the sides of the vertical guide 113, and spaces between adjacent ones of the guide tanks narrow gradually toward the vertical guide 113. When surface water is guided between the first downward flow guide tank 121 and the second downward flow guide tank 122, the downward flow rate of the surface water gradually increases as the surface water becomes closer to the vertical guide 113. Accordingly, the high flow rate can deliver the surface water to a deeper water level.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a guide apparatus for the downward flow of surface water according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the guide apparatus shown in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the guide apparatus for the downward flow of surface water according to the third embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the guide apparatus according to the second embodiment, except for the shape of a floating unit 210. Therefore, the same components will not be described.

The floating unit 210 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a vertical guide 213 extending vertically downward from the balance unit 30 and a plurality of downward flow guide ducts 221, 222, 223, 224 and 225. The floating unit 210 is designed to have a hollow structure.

Each of the downward flow guide ducts 221 to 225, placed on both sides of the vertical guide 213, has an inverted L shape, in which a vertical section 257 extends along the vertical width of the vertical guide 213. Also, inlet sections 255 of the downward flow guide ducts 221 to 225 are arranged horizontally, touching each other at vertical edges thereof.

In each the downward flow guide ducts 221 to 225, the inlet section 255 has a wide cross section to receive the surface water, but the cross section of the vertical section 257 is significantly narrowed with respect to that of the inlet section 255, so that bottleneck effect can increase the flow rate of surface water in the vertically downward direction.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual view illustrating a usage of the present invention, which is applicable to the fixing of the guide apparatuses according to various embodiments of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, the guide apparatuses for surface water of the present invention can be fixed by anchors 800 in place of boats. Although only one anchor 800 is shown, a plurality of such anchors can be used according to the number of the connected guide apparatuses or the entire length of a connected assembly.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As set forth above, the guide apparatus for surface water of the present invention can deliver the surface water, which contains algae, to a deeper water level in order to suppress algae growth or kill the algae.

Furthermore, the guide apparatus for surface water of the present invention can suppress algae growth, which otherwise would contaminate ponds, lakes, dams and the sea, so as to prevent the marine ecosystem from being destroyed, thereby conserving the nature, as well as prevent coastal farms from being damaged, thereby promoting coastal aquaculture.

Moreover, the guide apparatus for surface water of the present invention can use natural energy instead of artificial energy, thereby providing an economical and environment-friendly cleaning method. 

1. A guide apparatus for inducing a downward flow of surface water, the guide apparatus comprising: a hollow floating unit, which is immersed in the water; a balance unit placed on a top end of the floating unit to balance the floating unit; and a balance member attached to a bottom end of the floating unit to allow the floating unit to be erected and balanced on the water surface and in the water.
 2. The guide apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the floating unit includes a downward flow guide, which extends along a longitudinal direction of the guide apparatus, and a vertical guide, which is formed integrally with and extends vertically downward from the downward flow guide, and wherein the downward flow guide and the vertical guide are hollow.
 3. The guide apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the downward flow guide has an inverted triangular cross section to convert a horizontal water flow to a vertical water flow.
 4. The guide apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the floating unit includes a vertical guide, which extends vertically downward from the balance unit, and a plurality of downward flow guide tanks.
 5. The guide apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the downward flow guide tanks are placed on both sides of the vertical guide, each of the downward flow guide tanks being shaped as a prism, which vertically extends along a longitudinal direction of the vertical guide, and wherein the downward flow guide tanks are arranged in line along the sides of the vertical guide, and spaces between adjacent ones of the guide tanks narrow gradually toward the vertical guide.
 6. The guide apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the floating unit includes a vertical guide, which extends vertically downward from the balance unit, and a plurality of downward flow guide ducts, which are placed on both sides of the vertical guide, the downward flow guide ducts extending vertically and arranged horizontally, touching each other at vertical edges thereof.
 7. The guide apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each of the downward flow guide ducts has an inverted “L” shape including a vertical section and an inlet section for receiving surface water, wherein the inlet section has a wide cross section, and the vertical section has a cross section significantly narrower than that of the inlet section.
 8. The guide apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the balance unit has a hollow structure, and includes an anti-rocking plate, which serves to prevent the floating unit from rocking from side to side in waves, and a pair of wing-shaped wave blockers, which extend integrally from longitudinal edges of the anti-rocking plate. 